wise king Solomon's opinion on that subject. But, if we pity the idle girl, because she has no true comfort now, what exceeding grief ought we to feel for her, recollecting that of all these wasted hours, not one is forgotten before God! That duties omitted are sins committed-that her health, strength, senses, the use of her limbs, all her knowledge, and all her ability, are so many talents which she is hiding in a napkin, and every one of which must witness against her at the last day! They are like the vineyard described in the 5th chapter of Isaiah: "He fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine; and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes; fruit not worth the gathering-Oh, Harriet this is provoking the Lord!"

"Dear Mamma!" said Harriet, while tears stole from her eyes, "pray for me that I may not do thus, I have been more wicked than you can suppose; and the Lord has known all my naughty thoughts. But I will remember the love of Jesus Christ to poor children, and beg of

Him to teach and to bless me, and to guide
in the way I should go !"

Come, let us work, while here we stay,
Work while it is called to-day,

Before the closing night of death

Seals our eyes and check our breath,

Earth is not a home for rest,

So polluted and unblest;

Where the Lord reveals his face,

We'll find a better resting place.

While we lie with folded hands,
Satan all rejoicing stands.

Sloth would cast us into sleep,

Till on our slumbers death should creep.

Jesus toiled when here below,

And to Him for help we'll go.

Lord, appoint our task, that we,

When 'tis done, may rest with Thee.

17

me

THE

FORTUNE-TELLER.

was dressed in a short

THE Gipsy woman jacket of dark blue cloth, the skirts of which over a petticoat of hung down a little way strange patchwork. Stuffs of all colours seemed to have been used to mend and piece out the old dirty, dark green that still remained. Her hat was of black beaver, very much the worse for wear, and it was tied under her chin with a red cotton handkerchief. Fastened to her back, in a sort of bag, she carried a little child, whose bright black eyes shone out like jet from beneath its tangled hair. Its face was dirty, even more so than its mother's, and so sun-burnt that it seemed never to have known the comfort of shade.

are found

* The Gipsies are a wandering people: they in various parts of England and Scotland: they are, in their countenance, character, and habits, a distinct people.

Besides her baby, the Gipsy woman carried a wallet slung over one shoulder, and hanging at her side; and a tattered apron was gathered up, and knotted into the piece of cord that served her for a belt. Altogether, there was something so remarkable in their appearance, that little Jessey, who was running before her Mamma, in the shady green lane, stopped to look with surprise at the Gipsy woman; and then, rather frightened by the bold look of her piercing eyes, she turned back, and ran to her Mamma, taking hold of her hand, and keeping close beside her.

The Gipsy passed them, making a low courtesy to the lady, but not speaking a word; and Jessey, looked round to observe the baby, for it had laughed and crowed when it saw her.

"I thought she had been a beggar-woman, Mamma," said Jessey, "but she did not ask for any thing. How black her eyes are, and the baby's too!"

"They are Gipsies, my dear," said Mrs. Howes, "and Gipsies do not often beg; but I am sorry to say that they often cheat, and steal, and do many other bad things."

"Where do they live, Mamma?"